May 14, 2008
OpenTable Adds User-Created Restaurant Reviews
Written by DCist contributor Wade Green Jr.
Pull up a chair to the new OpenTable. The online real-time restaurant reservation site has added a new feature allowing diners to contribute their feedback on a restaurant just moments after dining — and even have their opinion provided to the restaurant, if they like. After honoring a reservation, patrons will receive a form email asking what they thought of the restaurant. Food, ambiance, service and the overall experience are rated from one to five stars, with a five star rating being “a rare find.” The surveys are then combined with other diners’ ratings and updated frequently on the website — ensuring that local foodies have the most recent opinions on local restaurants. The survey also lets diners rate the noise level of the restaurant and assign one or more categories out of 14, including: romantic, kid friendly, “hot spot,” notable wine list, and others. Based on over 200,000 submissions per month, OpenTable then plans to generate city-specific "best of" lists that provide diners with additional insight into restaurants' noteworthy attributes.
According to OpenTable, D.C. is one of the first cities to get the lists, but other cities will get customized feedback lists soon.
The new features have been in beta for awhile now and should have enough dining data from users to generate their top ten lists accurately. CityZen, Citronelle, and Marcel's top the lists for Best Overall and Best Food, while The Willard Room and CityZen take Best Ambiance and Best Service, respectively. Other notable top rankings:
Most Booked: Old Ebbitt Grill
Fit for Foodies: Farrah Olivia
Romantic: La Rue 123
Neighborhood Gem: Del Merei Grillle
Hot Spot: Posh Restaurant & Supper Club
One should keep in mind that there are many local restaurants not on the OpenTable network who would easily top many of the categories; 2 Amys, Restaurant Eve, Minibar (understandable), Cork and Komi to name a few. While one should use the rankings with caution, the feedback feature should prove to be a valuable asset for restaurants looking to improve their service, and customers, who can offer feedback from the relative anonymity of their computers.
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I suspect it will be as informative as the Post's reviews, i.e. every review will be exactly like one of the following:
1: Went here when my cousin was is town. Great food!!! Loved the astmophere! Very sheek!! Definitely recocomend!
2: Terrible service, awful food. Waited two hours for our appetizers. Way overpriced. Our waiter, Jen, was incredibly rude to us. They won't be getting our business ever again. Stay away.
That pic proves that, as any Harvard graduate or Jaguar owner will tell you, the more you spend on something, the better it is.
I have "always" been "a fan" of the "terrific" reviews that "Zagat" "provides" "in" "quotes."
The feedback is anonymous so you know its good.
While opentable.com has some fancy features, I'll stick with the Chowhound message boards, pretty much because monkeyrotica posts there.
I'm confused: is Posh an actual hotspot? Because all the reviews I've read have been pretty harsh, and the place always looks deserted to me.
While opentable.com has some fancy features, I'll stick with the Chowhound message boards, pretty much because monkeyrotica posts there.
I haven't really frequented Chowhound, but DonRockwell.com was/is a complete and total tool box. Rockwell himself seems to be a pretty decent guy, but the "foodies" who frequent his site are the biggest bunch of self-important, blowhard, douche-garglers I think I've ever seen on the 'net.
If OpenTable wants to be in the vanguard of providing valuable services to their users, they should provide a convenient Google Maps/restroomratings.com mashup. I can't tell you how many times I've been put off my ahi carpaccio, seared fois gras amuse bouche, and chilled monkey's brains because the restroom smelled like pickled egg farts and wide open ass. And just try getting your meal comped because you faint from the stench, knock your head on the bowl, and your monocle and top hat falls in the commode. And they actually had the nerve to call the police! At least I was able to feign choking and get a free ambulance ride home. That'll show those incompetent louts at Cheescake Factory! They only filled my water glass every 7 minutes! What is this? Death Valley? I have a rare condition where my wet brain requires constant moisture! I am seriously considering an ADA lawsuit.
P.S. Parking was ample.
I have to agree with Monkey. Not that I'm one to hang out in public restrooms (that much), but I have to say DC restaurants have some seriously foul bathrooms. Makes you wonder how bad the kitchens are, if they can't be bothered to have a reasonably decent bathroom.
Hillman - Part of the problem seems to be that people turn into animals when it comes to dining out. And the more precious the food, the more obnoxious the behavior. You wouldn't think of leaving a filthy mess in your own bathroom, since YOU have to use it regularly. But all bets are off when you're out to throw a little cash around. It's like they're peeing on the rim out of spite. "I spent $180 for two apps, an entree, and a bottle of barolo. Goddammit, I'm gonna get my money's worth!" Not a drop in the bowl. It's like Jackson Pollock with a bladder infection.
Don't get me started on people who actually climb ON the commode and squat. I'm all for embracing diverse cultural differences, but really, either learn how to aim or just sit on the damn toilet. I'm tired of seeing your "blast patterns" all over the water tank. And that goes double for "hoverers." Most butt germs die on contact with air, so give it a quick wipe and sit down already. Most crappers get a good swabbing every day anyway, which is more than I can say for the keyboard you're typing at RIGHT NOW.
Total agreement with Hillrat about the pompous swells on DR. DR is a schmuck club that regards food as fashion statement/status symbol.
I'll take Chowhound anyday.